convert
1 Americanverb (used with object)
-
to change (something) into a different form or properties; transmute; transform.
-
to cause to adopt a different religion, political doctrine, opinion, etc..
to convert the heathen.
- Synonyms:
- proselytize
-
to turn to another or a particular use or purpose; divert from the original or intended use.
They converted the study into a nursery for the baby.
-
to modify (something) so as to serve a different function.
to convert an automobile factory to the manufacture of tanks.
-
to obtain an equivalent value for in an exchange or calculation, as money or units of measurement.
to convert bank notes into gold; to convert yards into meters.
-
Finance. to exchange voluntarily (a bond or preferred stock) into another security, usually common stock, because of the greater value of the latter.
-
to change in character; cause to turn from an evil life to a righteous one.
to convert a criminal.
-
Chemistry. to cause (a substance) to undergo a chemical change.
to convert sugar into alcohol.
-
to invert or transpose.
-
Law.
-
to assume unlawful rights of ownership of (personal property).
-
to change the form of (property), as from realty to personalty or vice versa.
-
-
to appropriate wrongfully to one's own use.
-
Logic. to transpose the subject and predicate of (a proposition) by conversion.
-
Computers. to subject to conversion.
verb (used without object)
-
to become converted.
-
Football. to make a conversion.
noun
verb
-
to change or adapt the form, character, or function of; transform
-
to cause (someone) to change in opinion, belief, etc
-
to change (a person or his way of life, etc) for the better
-
(intr) to admit of being changed (into)
the table converts into a tray
-
(also intr) to change or be changed into another chemical compound or physical state
to convert water into ice
-
law
-
to assume unlawful proprietary rights over (personal property)
-
to change (property) from realty into personalty or vice versa
-
-
(also intr) rugby to make a conversion after (a try)
-
logic to transpose the subject and predicate of (a proposition) by conversion
-
to change (a value or measurement) from one system of units to another
-
to exchange (a security or bond) for something of equivalent value
noun
Related Words
See transform.
Other Word Forms
- convertive adjective
Etymology
Origin of convert1
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English verb converten, from Latin convertere “to change completely,” equivalent to con- intensive prefix + vertere “to turn”; noun convert replacing converse, Middle English convers, ultimately from Latin conversus; converse 2, verse 1
Origin of convert2
By shortening of convertible
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Front companies in Hong Kong and elsewhere have been used to convert Chinese yuan into dollars, euros or other foreign currencies Iran needs, The Wall Street Journal has reported.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026
He and his wife, Joy, also a Christian convert from Iran, came to the United States in 2013.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026
At one point, the cave faced a potential threat when someone attempted to develop the land and convert the cave into a septic tank.
From Science Daily • Apr. 3, 2026
The firm is now planning to close its Falkirk facility and convert its Larbert manufacturing facility to a chassis manufacturing site.
From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026
The foosball table that could convert into a mini Ping-Pong table or a mini pool table.
From "The Strangers" by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
